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Programs
We focus special expertise and support on several issues of high interest to the people of Essex County. These programs have become essential services to hundreds of nonprofits and thousands of residents, and they exemplify a Community Foundation’s central role as convener and multiplier of nonprofit resources.
Youth
Youth services have been a major focus of the Community Foundation since it was founded. The Youth at Risk conference is a major full day conference attended annually by 400-500 experts in the field.
The Greater Lawrence Summer Fund is our unique collaborative fund that provides summer activities and educational programs for at-risk youth in the Greater Lawrence area.
First Jobs is an alliance with the regional Workforce Investment Board that develops hundreds of opportunites for teens to get paid, skill-developing summer jobs and companies and nonprofits.
The Hardscrabble Fund provides grants to specific public school programs not covered by state funding.
Scholarships will support over 130 students in higher education this year.
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Hunger Relief
The Essex County Hunger Relief Project was started in the spring of 2009 in response to the economic downturn which forced many more families to seek assistance from food pantries and soup kitchens. We have created a website in collaboration with all the Hunger Organizations in the county to:
- Encourage people to donate food or time to their local food pantry or soup kitchen.
- Show all the meal sites and food pantries in the region
- Facilitate communication and resource sharing between food organizations through an online forum
Check out the website! www.essexcountyhungerrelief.org.
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Women & Girls
The Women's Fund is a grant making fund dedicated to increasing resources, expanding opportunities and promoting positive social change for women and girls.
ECCF provides financial services, nonprofit counsel and space. Learn more about The Women's Fund.
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Environment
The Essex County Forum was created in 1999 to promote and provide planning guidance for Smart Growth and sustainable development. In response to the tough economic climate, the Essex County Forum has temporarily suspended its operations.
Thanks to everyone who gave this program their time, energy, and support over the past decade.
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Arts
In 2009, ECCF was awarded a grant from the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation to convene the Essex County Arts Forum to bring together county’s nonprofit arts groups to share resources, explore ways to expand audiences and strengthen business practices.
We identified arts organizations in Essex County, surveyed them to determine their most pressing needs, and convened the Essex County Arts Forum to plan future projects.
2010 projects include:
- Working with the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Historic New England on joint programming to expand audiences by showcasing arts groups during the popular 17th Century Saturdays series at historic sites throughout Essex County. View schedule of events.
- Piloting a back-office capacity building program for arts organizations designed to reduce costs related to financial audits and IRS form 990 filing by 25% by standardizing accountancy practices
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